Digital Media Lab
at Skokie Public Library

Opened in September 2009, the Digital Media Lab is located on the 1st floor of the Library and is open to adult (high school and older) Skokie Public Library members. It contains four new Apple desktop computers loaded with software that will enable users to creatively express themselves through digital videos, music, photography, websites, graphic design, podcasts, presentations and other forms of digital media. The room also features two scanners, an electronic keyboard, and a green screen wall. Digital cameras, Flip video camcorders, portable hard drives, and tripods are also available for overnight checkout.

What are the rules?

What computers and equipment are available?

What software is available?

Where can I learn more about Macs and the Digital Media Lab?

      

What are the rules?

• The Digital Media Lab is open during normal Library hours, but closes 30 minutes prior to the Library closing.
• The Digital Media Lab is open to Skokie Public Library card holders who are of high school age and older.
• All general behavioral guidelines for the Library apply.
• No food or drinks of any kind are permitted.
• A maximum of 8 people are allowed at any given time.
• Users can make 2-hour reservations (with extended time permitted if no one else is waiting) to use a computer by speaking to a staff member in the Adult Computer Lab in-person or by phone. A security access card will be handed to the user to gain entry to gain entry to the Digital Media Lab. Reservations will be held for 10 minutes after they are scheduled to begin.
• A security access card will be checked out on the user’s Skokie Public Library account and a photo ID will be kept in the Adult Computer Lab until the security access card is returned. Lost or damaged security access cards will incur a fine of $50. Security access cards have a $10 per day late fee.
• The individual who checks out the card will be considered the main user and is responsible for any damage or misuse of the equipment, even if a group is working on a project together.
• Users will be assigned to a specific computer based on their needs.
• The door should be kept closed unless a staff member is present.
• Priority will be given to users who are working on digital media projects (videos, music, websites, photo editing, scanning). Users who are using the computers for web browsing will be asked to use the other adult internet stations in the Library.
• Users must save their work on an external memory source (external hard drives are available for checkout and CDs, DVDs, and flash drives are sold at the reference desk).
• If a computer is not working, users should ask for help from the Adult Computer Lab. Please dial x2179 from the Digital Media Lab to contact the Adult Computer Lab.
• Loans of portable hard drives, digital cameras, and Flip video camcorders will be allowed for users who have a valid Skokie Library card. Users must complete an agreement form and these items must be returned directly to the Adult Computer Lab by their due date. All checkouts and checkins for this equipment will be handled in the Adult Computer Lab. An overdue fine of $10 per day will be added to users' accounts for late items. Users who lose or damage equipment will be charged the replacement cost of the equipment.

What computers and other equipment are available?

Apple iMac desktops (3)   Apple Mac Pro desktop (1)   Canoscan 8800F color film/negative/photo scanners (2)   Flip Mino (8) and Ultra HD camcorders (4)   Lacie 250G rugged portable hard drives (5)   M-Audio Oxygen 61-key USB/MIDI controller keyboard (1) and M-Audio Sustain Pedal (1)   Bamboo Fun tablet (1)   Canopus ADVC 110 digital video converter (2) Yeti Pro USB Microphone (2) Blue Microphones The Pop Universal Pop Filter (4) Flip Bower Wide Angle Lens (5) - connected to Flip Video Cameras Shure SM57 – microphone (1) ProLine MS220 Tripod Boom Microphone Stand (2) Live Wire Advantage Standard EXM mic cables (2)

Canon PowerShot digital cameras (3)   Bose Companion 2 multimedia speaker systems (2)   Blue Yeti microphones (2)   Sony tripods - standard size (2)   Flip tripod - miniature size (1)   M-Audio Fast Track USB (2)       Zoom H2 Handy MP3 Recorder (3)   Seagate FreeAgnet GoGlex portable hard drive (5) Simmons Electric Drum Set SDMP1 (1) Washburn Electric Guitar RX-22 (1) Shure SM58 microphone (1)   Audio Technica CP8201 (1) PF2 pop filter (1)

What software is available?

• Mac OS X v.10.6 (Snow Leopard)
• iLife '11
  • iMovie
  • iPhoto
  • Garage Band (plus Garage Band Jam Packs)
  • iWeb
• iTunes
• iDVD
• iWork 09
  • Pages
  • Numbers
  • Keynote
• Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection
  • Photoshop Extended
  • InDesign
  • Flash Catalyst
  • Flash Professional
  • Dreamweaver
  • Contribute
  • After Effects
  • OnLocation
  • Fireworks
  • Illustrator
  • Acrobat Pro 9
  • Flash Builder 4
  • Premiere Pro
  • Soundbooth
  • Encore
  • Bridge
  • Device Central
  • Dynamic Link
  • Media Encoder
  • Extension Manager
• Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium
  • InDesign
  • Photoshop Extended
  • Illustrator
  • Flash Professional
  • Dreamweaver
  • Fireworks
  • Acrobat 9 Pro
  • Adobe Bridge
• Adobe Creative Suite 5 Production Premium
  • Premiere Pro
  • AfterEffects
  • Photoshop Extended
  • Audition
  • Flash Catalyst
  • Flash Professional
  • Illustrator
  • OnLocation
  • Encore
  • Device Central
  • Bridge
  • Media Encoder
• Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 (on all terminals)
• Final Cut Studio
  • Final Cut Pro 7
  • Motion 4
  • Soundtrack Pro 3
  • Color 1.5
  • Compressor 3.5
  • DVD Studio Pro 4
• Blender 3D
• Burn
• Firefox
• Flickr Uploadr
• Google Earth
• Handbrake
• Logic Express 9
• Manga Studio EX4
• MP Navigator EX
• ProTools 9
• Safari
• Screenflow
• VuScan

Where can I learn more about Macs and the Digital Media Lab?

To learn more about using Macs and the computers and software in the Digital Media Lab, you can:

• Complete our online form to request a group workshop or one-on-one tutorial with a Library technology assistant.
• Visit the Digital Media Lab website to keep abreast of new additions, find custom tutorials, and to view or listen to content created by Library patrons.
• View the Apple video tutorials for Mac Basics, iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band, iWork, and more.
• Read eBooks on computers and technology using the Library’s Safari Books Online database.
• View video tutorials for Adobe CS5 applications on Adobe TV.
• View video tutorials on Lynda.com.